Vietnam, Germany to fortify dialogues, cooperation
The discussions underscored the deepening partnership between the two nations as they approach the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025 and 14 years of bilateral strategic partnership, a milestone to review achievements and chart a path for a more robust phase of cooperation.
Berlin (VNA)🅠 – Vietnamese Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan held talks with Vice President of the German Bundestag Bodo Ramelow on July 2 during her working trip for the Global Women Leaders’ Summit in Berlin.
The discussions underscored the deepening partnership between the two nations as they approach the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025 and 14 years of bilateral strategic partnership, a milestone to review achievements and chart a path for a more robust phase of cooperation.
Xuan stressed Vietnam’s appreciation of Germany’s leading role in Europe and globally. She proposed both sides increase the exchanges of all-level delegations via the Party, State, Government, and parliamentary channels; effectively leverage existing cooperation mechanisms; and work closely together at multilateral forums like the United Nations and the ASEAN-EU framework.
She called on the German Bundestag to continue supporting the Vietnam–EU relationship, soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which could boost trade and investment ties, and advocate for the European Commission to lift the “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood exports. She also welcomed Germany’s continued provision of official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, especially in infrastructure, energy transition, and climate change adaptation.
Vice President Ramelow welcomed Xuan’s proposals, noting a growing interest within the Bundestag in enhancing relations with Vietnam. He praised the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Germany and advocated for stronger people-to-people exchanges in trade, education, culture, and tourism. He even floated the idea of German and Vietnamese universities teaming up for joint degrees and partnerships.
Both sides promised to beef up cooperation in national defence-security and at multilateral platforms, with a shared commitment to global peace, stability, and sustainable development.
On the same day, Xuan met with Ines Schwerdtner, Co-Chair of Germany’s Left Party (Die Linke), suggesting greater exchange of theoretical and practical experience between the two parties to advance global and regional peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.
Schwerdtner, in reply, expressed her interest in learning from Vietnam’s experience in Party building, mass mobilisation, and countering political extremism in Europe. She also backed helping the Vietnamese community integrate into German life to boost ties.
Both sides praised the existing Party-to-Party policy dialogue mechanism, planned the sixth such dialogue in the fourth quarter while eyeing new ways to team up.
At a meeting with Chair of the Executive Board of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (RLS) Prof. Heinz Bierbaum (Photo: VNA)
In a separate meeting with Chair of the Executive Board of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (RLS) Prof. Heinz Bierbaum, Xuan acknowledged RLS’s prominent role in German and international socio-political lives, especially in promoting progressive policies, social justice, women’s and labour rights, support for vulnerable groups, and mutual understanding among nations.
She reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to its strategic partnership with Germany, including progressive socio-political organisations like RLS. She eyed the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties as a chance to expand collaboration in people-to-people exchanges, cultural diplomacy, and theoretical collaboration.
Bierbaum was impressed, calling Vietnam’s socialist-market economy a hot topic for the German Left and the Communist Party of Vietnam, with plenty of invaluable lessons to share./.
The renewable energy workforce training and development centre, invested by Germany's GEO Group, is expected to be a cornerstone in shaping Binh Dinh as a renewable energy and innovation hub in central Vietnam, meeting the growing demand for skilled technical personnel in offshore wind, solar farms, and green hydrogen projects.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son expressed his delight at the recent positive developments in bilateral ties and proposed major directions to strengthen the partnership across politics and diplomacy, trade and investment, science and technology, education and training, sustainable development, and people-to-people exchange.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
